diff --git a/global.go b/global.go
index e9e45c8..0434077 100644
--- a/global.go
+++ b/global.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ const (
 // error otherwise. It will attempt to establish a connection to the journal
 // if there is not already one in progress.
 func CheckConnection() error {
-	_, err := getGlobal()
+	_, err := GetGlobalConn()
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -39,7 +39,12 @@ func SetGlobalConn(c *Conn) {
 	global = c
 }
 
-func getGlobal() (*Conn, error) {
+// GetGlobalConn returns the global (default) connection to the journal. It may
+// return an error if no connection could be established. If no connection is
+// yet established, it will attempt to establish one. This is rate limited to
+// avoid excessive connection attempts should there be a persistent problem
+// connecting to the journal socket.
+func GetGlobalConn() (*Conn, error) {
 	globalLock.Lock()
 	defer globalLock.Unlock()
 
@@ -119,7 +124,7 @@ func SetGlobalErrHandler(errHandler func(err error)) {
 // Note: to avoid allocation / garbage, ensure attrs has capacity for an extra
 // 2+len(GlobalCommonAttr) values.
 func Entry(pri Priority, msg string, attrs []Attr) {
-	c, _ := getGlobal()
+	c, _ := GetGlobalConn()
 	if c == nil {
 		return
 	}